Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-07-11
The Pacific Coast.
The BOOMs, WEATHER AND POLITICAL
MOVEMENTS IN OREGON.

Special Correspondence of the Journal.
Very many of the hundreds of people who
have visited the Pacific coast in the last year.
have come to Oregon before returning east,
Among them are those who did not intend in
vesting in the west and those who escaping the
inducements of California, would look further
before buying. Everywhere one hears the
country the weather the crops the scenery, the
climate and the incidents of travel, discussed.
few days ago on trip up the Columbia
river, the boat having aboard excursionists
from the east who had made the tour of Cali
fornis. was approaching Multinoma falls.
The husband of a lady who was seated inside
the cabin quickly informed her of the
suspicious opportunity for viewing the
scenery. Failing to reciprocate his
excited interest she raised her hand
and said, CONWAY. For the last three
months | have lived on scenery and climate
and am tired of it
Oregon has and can well afford to have all
the sociablity of new country. Almost
every man, woman and child one meets says,
when we came to Oregon" &c. There are
few however who never "came here" More
people think claim that they like Oregon as
home than is common elsewhere for citi-
zens to claim for their abode.
Everybody looks for a great developmen Mt
of this country and feels satisfied to wait
Nowhere though, in the State, is there anything
| like boom Salem Is looking for it but
there seems to be sufficient let well. enough
alone feeling in Salem to make it difficult for
the itnersnt or professional boomer to get the
ball moving. Salem is situated in the centre
of the great Willamette valley and as regards
| situation has advantage over all other cities
in the State for future development and inde-
pendent support. Portland watches her with
jealous eye but cannot decree against her
future. Nowhere on his coast is there a more
promising outlook in legitimate way for in
vestment than in and around Salem.
1t is fact that it rains for months almost
without cessing from fall to summer, such
at least has been the case this year. But
every body says it never has rained so much or
so late 'sInce | came to Oregon" No one
seems to mind the "mists" either. The rain
is not generally so heavy as in the East but
of the same kind of wetness. 1t is seldom
that it thunders which leaves the lightning
rod man out entirely. The rod is never seen
on this coast.
The rain has its influence and its most
novel feature is the development of
Moss UPON EVERYTHING
exposed to the continuous moisture. Trees,
fences, buildings, the ground, the stones. and
some say the farmers backs are covered with
mess. This moss is of almost infinite varie-
ty and of many species, wrought into the
most exquisite forms. Nothing scarcely in
the vegetable kingdom can compare in deli.
cate beauty with the varieties of moss found
in the deep wooded canons and foothills
Roofs must be fsrmed to keep it of but many
let it grow and it soon makes q building look
venerable. Upon fallen timber in the deep
shade it grows in great blankets, enveloping
the logs in garment of Undesirable beauty
while the trees above are festooned in man
ner to Guido all imagination. That growing
upon standing timber which is fine as sewing
thread and from six inches to six feet long il
eaten by sheep and cattle with relish.
The barometer has some seasons of excite
ment but the thermometer is a tame affair ia
Oregon, utterly refusing to make any venture
worthy of note, toward either extreme. This
robs US Of one of the most common topics OF